The aid package approved in the US House of Representatives is unsurprisingly met with strong condemnations from Russia.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova calls it “direct support for terrorist activities” on Telegram. And Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says it will lead to more death.
– The US support package for Ukraine will cause increased suffering for the country, he says according to Reuters.
“Significantly better conditions”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the US shortly after the vote and the proposal is considered extremely important for Ukraine in the war.
“Now everyone – the US, the EU and Sweden – must do even more for Ukraine’s security. And thus for our own security”, writes Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) in a post on X.
Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) calls it “excellent news”.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Joakim Paasikivi, the support means new opportunities for Ukraine in the war against Russia.
– Here, Ukraine gets significantly better conditions if a new Russian offensive were to take place, he says.
Republican Resistance
The support package is worth the equivalent of 655 billion Swedish kronor, and American President Joe Biden has promised to sign the decision as quickly as possible.
The proposal has previously been stopped by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, and from the Republican side, opposition has been strong.